Plans to extend and reopen vacant pub in Telford withdrawn after concerns over parking

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Stourbridge-based Furious Pub Company - which runs The Red Lion and The Swan in Amblecote - said the current condition of the pub, with limited floor space, had "struggled as a viable concern".

The pub, on the B4394, west of Telford, went up for auction in June last year just eight months after the then owners had reopened to the public after a refit. 

The new owners' plans had included the demolition of the existing modern conservatory, which would be replaced with a single-storey extension to provide additional seating space.

Another single-storey extension would aim to "enlarge and improve existing customer toilet facilities", while an external canopy would create a covered seating area in the pub’s beer garden.

It was hoped that the development would "renew and reinvigorate" the pub, which was anticipating a substantial rise in customers with hundreds of new homes set for Allscott.

But the local authority's highways department raised concerns about the impact that the extension would have on parking, claiming the size of the car park would be "reduced considerably".

A spokesperson said: "The applicant has claimed that the car park reconfiguration proposals would result in the provision of an increased number of viable spaces within the site, however the local highways authority disagree with this statement."

Their statement went on to suggest that the increase in the pub's floor space would require an increase of seven car parking spaces, or 22 in total.

The plans, the highways team said, had a shortfall of 16 car parking spaces.

Their statement continued: "Whilst the local highways authority cannot comment on the establishments existing parking arrangements, the proposed extension will increase parking demand on the site therefore adequate on-site parking provision must be provided to support the development and negate the need for customers to park on-street which raises highway safety concern due to the immediate proximity of the B4394/Rushmoor Lane priority junction and lack of off-site pedestrian facilities.

"The local highways authority accepts that a proportion of customers would journey to the site on foot/cycle from the nearby Allscott Meads housing development, however it is still considered that a minimum of seven spaces would be required to support customers travelling to the site from further afield, noting its prominent location along the B4394."

After the comments, a Telford & Wrekin Council planning officer warned the applicants that there was insufficient time for amendments and scheme would be recommended for refusal if it was not withdrawn.

The application was subsequently withdrawn earlier this week, with the applicants stating an intention to resubmit the plans.

The full application is available to view online on Telford & Wrekin Council's planning portal using reference number: TWC/2025/0170